Juggling Balls

Giving your children all the love and attention they deserve in these busier than ever times.

After some whining from my kids, I decided to take them from school a few days a week, instead of them going in the school bus. This was after numerous complaints from them that I am not picking them up, “but Adam’s mom comes every day.”

I thought I will go during my lunch break. I hardly ever go out for lunch. I usually just eat my packed lunch at my desk. Anyway, I took off at 13h00, it takes me about 15 mins to get to school and I only need to be there at 13h30. I had lots of time.

Driving out of the gate at my office I saw lots of cars on the road and thought everyone must be going out for lunch, which is ok, we all need a break. I caught the green light once or twice, so great I thought. I can do this. Just around the corner and about 10 mins from school, to my dismay, we went bumper to bumper.

I couldn’t even see ahead to check what’s going on. It must be all these grannies on the road going nowhere slowly! As we inch forward in 30 degrees heat I thought of all the messages I’ll get when I am back at the office. Everyone is going to be looking for me. I had 5 missed calls on my cell phone already.

So much for trying to keep everyone happy. We get closer to the intersection and I see workmen ahead. A big truck is blocking the road. They are painting the road markings. Great, we need that, but do they have to do this now? I’m gonna be late!

I make it to school, it’s 13h45. I need to be back at the office by 14h00. I look for my boys but can’t find them. I check in the classrooms, on the soccer field, in the bathroom. Nobody.

I get in the car to drive to Aftercare which is across the road at the other campus. I could walk, but not now! No, they are not here today said Mrs Brown. I go into a slight panic, am trying to hold it together. I get an incoming call. It’s Shaun the bus driver.

What could this be about? Shaun said he was in front of our gate, can I please open the gate. I said, “Shaun, I sent a message this morning to say that you don’t have to collect the boys today and that I will come and fetch them. Shaun said, “Yes Madam I got the message, but when I saw the boys at Aftercare I thought you forgot so I decided to take them.” I said, “Thank you Shaun. No problem. See you tomorrow.”

I called my husband to tell him what happened. He stopped me in mid-sentence. “Mich, I’m in a meeting, is it important?” “No my darling, it’s not. Don’t worry. Let’s talk later.” I drove back to the office thinking of everything I could have done instead of working myself up in traffic, trying to be a model wife, mother and worker.

Yeah, I would also like to play golf all day, collect my kids, then sit at the clubhouse drinking martinis. One day when I’m big. As I write this my little one is following me around. I usually do it when they are asleep. Why are you following me around boy, I asked. Go and build your Lego. “No mommy, I wanna be with you!”